Become immersed in the action of historical crime thrillers
'I enjoy reading crime fiction and historical fiction, so combining the two is natural to me'
Jonathan Dunsky always wanted to be a writer. But after he served in the Israel Defence Forces and entered the workforce, the dream began to fade. But as the Israeli author told The AJN, it was always there gnawing at him.
“It returned when I was in my late 30s. I suppose it was always there, in the depths of my subconscious, waiting for the right moment to be realised,” he said.
While he started writing science fiction, it never really felt right. When a member from his writing group suggested he write about what he loves – Israel – the Adam Lapid series came to him.
The first book, Ten Years Gone, is about a German-Jewish woman living in Berlin in 1939 who gives her baby son away to a friend who is immigrating to Israel.
In 10 years, she has no word about her son. When she finally makes aliyah, she hires private detective Adam Lapid, a former police detective, Nazi hunter and a survivor of Auschwitz, to find him. The series spiralled from there.
Dunsky explained that historical fiction was a natural decision for him.
“I have always loved history. I find it fascinating to learn about different times and cultures. I enjoy reading crime fiction and historical fiction, so combining the two is natural to me,” he said.
“Writing the Adam Lapid series has taught me more about Israeli history than I ever learned in school, so I feel I’ve gained a deeper understanding of my country and my people.”
Other books in the series follow Lapid as he investigates the death of a fellow Auschwitz survivor, proving alibis for clients, looking into cheating partners, and more.
The latest book in the series sees Lapid working with a man he hates – they know who committed the murder, but they need to find out why.
For Dunsky, the most important thing about writing is telling a terrific and engaging story.
“My goal is to write riveting crime fiction that immerses the reader in the action and keeps them turning the pages and wondering what will happen next,” he said, continuing to explain that he also loves to explore the early history of the State of Israel.
“I’ve been fortunate to have wonderful readers from all corners of the world, including Australia. Readers have told me that reading an Adam Lapid novel makes them feel as though they’re walking the old streets of Tel Aviv and Haifa.”
For more information, visit jonathandunsky.com
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